POLICE are trying to claim back £28 million from a lord jailed for selling a fake Lowry painting.

Lord Maurice Taylor, below, is serving three years in prison after being found guilty of six charges of fraud in March.

The 61-year-old, who lives near Congleton, had bought a Lowry-style painting for £7,500 from art dealer Martin Heaps in 2004.

But he then invented its history to boost its provenance before selling it to art dealer David Smith in September 2007 for £330,000.

Mr Smith had paid £230,000 towards the total when he discovered the painting was not an original and has not had the cash back.

Following the trial at Chester Crown Court in February, Cheshire Police started inquiries into Taylor's lifestyle under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

They estimate that Taylor's assets amount to almost £28 million.

A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing took place yesterday, but was adjourned for more talks.

Sion Ap Mihangel, prosecuting, said: "We are talking in terms of millions of pounds of unexplained accounts.

"The crown's position is that a statement must be provided by the defence with evidence to substantiate his financial transactions."

Dennis Talbot, defending, said: "The money for the victim is there and it is a matter of compensation rather than confiscation.

"He (Taylor) is certainly not going to be left with anything."

The LS Lowry mill street-style painting, which has a nominal value of between £6,000 and £7,000, is being held as one of Taylor's assets. He is due to be released from prison next year.

After yesterday's hearing Detective Constable Dave Newton, of Cheshire Police, said: "Over the last six years we have looked at how he had managed to accumulate this type of lifestyle.

"We have been through his accounts and we want to know how he has gone from being Mr Taylor to the position he was in before his arrest.

"The end is now in sight of a very long, complex and interesting investigation.

"Taylor caused a lot of anxiety and stress to those caught up in this case.

"I hope we can get some compensation for the victim so that he can start to get his life back on track."

Keith Jones, financial investigator for Cheshire Police, said: "It is a very complicated case and one which has been very time consuming."

The hearing was adjourned until February.